A new day, a new start

Come the dawn, Kael wakes, feeling sore and only half rested. It turns out that the couch is hardly the best place to sleep, despite the wonderful company. Kael can feel Gabby’s body pressed against him from one side, with Ria on the other. Opening his eyes, he notes that Evie is nowhere to be found, likely already awake. Glancing around, he sees Ria opening her eyes and smiling.

“Morning, big guy. Next time we move to the bed before passing out.”

Kael chuckles. “Agreed. I’m stiff, and not in a fun way.”

Ria rolls her eyes. “Didn’t get enough of us yesterday? Awfully greedy…”

Kael kisses her, laughing softly. “Can you blame me? I feel incredibly lucky!”

Ria winks. “Damn right you are. And so are we. I’m glad things are turning out like this, big guy. Now, I’m going to go get washed up. Evie is already up, I think she’s going to make breakfast. I’ll leave you here with the sleepyhead.”

Chuckling, Ria kisses Kael as she slips away. Kael’s eyes follow her swaying hips as she walks towards the bathroom, still naked. She glances over her shoulder, smiling when she sees him watching her. Kael can’t help but laugh at her wink as she gives him an extra wiggle before walking down the hallway.

Fully awake now, Kael can smell the beginnings of the breakfast that Evie is cooking. He starts to sit up, but Gabby’s arms clamp tighter around him. The supposedly sleeping holstaur snuggles her curvy body closer, draping a leg over his waist. Kael looks over to see her smiling with her eyes closed. With a sigh and a smile of his own, Kael relaxes, simply enjoying the closeness. After all, it’s not often that he can simply enjoy things like this.

With all that’s happening in the new formed nation, it’s good to know that things at home are as good as can be. It gives hope for the future. If the four of them can come together like this, then surely things will go smoothly elsewhere.

Kael chuckles at the naivety of his own thoughts. He knows that they’re the exception, not the rule. But the response to yesterday’s announcement was more positive than expected. It’s just a matter of keeping that popular support.

Kael is glad he’s not in charge. All he has to do is protect those who are.

Relaxing in Gabby’s grasp, smelling Evie’s delicious cooking, and with the memories of yesterday fresh in mind, Kael’s soreness fades, replaced by a simple happiness.